Parents Are Turning to GLP-1 Drugs for Their Kids: What You Need to Know

One in five children and teenagers in the United States lives with obesity. That means more than 14 million young people have a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex. Consequently, their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other serious complications rises significantly.

For many families, that reality is frightening. Moreover, parents are increasingly looking beyond diet and exercise for answers.

GLP-1 receptor agonists, the same drug class behind Wegovy and Ozempic, now reach adolescents with obesity in growing numbers. This trend reflects both a shift in clinical guidelines and a surge in parental demand for more effective treatment.

The numbers tell a striking story. GLP-1 prescriptions among adolescents rose roughly 594% between 2020 and 2023. Furthermore, prescriptions for semaglutide and liraglutide combined jumped 700% between 2022 and 2024. By 2025, Wegovy prescriptions among teens climbed to 17.3 per 100,000 adolescents, up from 9.9 just two years earlier.

Much of this growth followed a pivotal 2023 guideline update from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP now supports weight-loss medications for patients aged 12 and older with obesity. It also recommends considering bariatric surgery for adolescents aged 13 and older with severe obesity and related complications. That marked a clear departure from the previous watchful waiting approach.

Two GLP-1 medications currently hold FDA approval for adolescent use. Semaglutide, sold as Wegovy, and liraglutide, sold as Saxenda, are both prescription-only agents. Clinical trials show teens lose between 5 and 16 percent of body weight when combining these drugs with lifestyle changes.

These medications work by mimicking a natural hormone that signals fullness to the brain. They also slow digestion and help regulate blood sugar. Researchers originally developed them to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, and clinicians later discovered their weight loss effects. That secondary finding has since reshaped how medicine approaches obesity across all age groups.

A large national study using electronic health records from January 2021 through July 2025 found that fewer than 1% of adolescents with obesity actually received a GLP-1 prescription. Of those who did, more than 87% had severe obesity. Nevertheless, the prescription rate has grown substantially since semaglutide’s approval in late 2022.

One notable trend within that data involves tirzepatide. Clinicians market tirzepatide as Mounjaro, and it targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Notably, off-label prescribing of tirzepatide surpassed liraglutide in adolescent use since early 2025, despite lacking FDA approval for teenagers. Clinicians who prescribe it outside its approved indication do so at their own discretion.

That leads to one of the central concerns surrounding pediatric GLP-1 use: gaps in long-term data. Most trials focus on adolescents aged 12 and older. For younger children, the research still lags behind clinical practice. Thus, while short-term outcomes look promising, experts stress that long-term effects in younger patients remain unknown.

Access also presents a persistent problem. The cost and price of GLP-1 medications place them out of reach for many families. Insurance gaps mean many families cannot afford these medications even when a clinician recommends them. Additionally, prescribing data reveal meaningful disparities by sex and socioeconomic status. After adjusting for other variables, male adolescents receive prescriptions far less often than their female peers.

Medicaid and Medicare coverage for these drugs varies widely by state, adding another layer of financial uncertainty for lower-income households. Without consistent coverage, the price of Wegovy alone can exceed $1,300 per month out of pocket. That cost barrier effectively limits access to treatment for families with stronger private insurance or higher incomes.

Most clinicians agree these medications work best as part of a broader plan. Current standards combine pharmacotherapy with dietary guidance, physical activity, and psychosocial support. Indeed, childhood obesity qualifies as a chronic condition, and treatment plans must reflect that complexity, especially in growing children.

For parents considering these options, the first step is a conversation with a qualified pediatric provider. A specialist can assess individual risk, review the evidence honestly, and build a plan around each child’s specific needs.